Apparatus for the application of particulates to baked goods and snacks

ABSTRACT

Substantially uniform distribution of a particulate composition such as a seasoning or spice, on both the top and bottom surfaces of baked good or snack pieces is achieved by applying the composition as a curtain or sheet from within a housing as the substrate pieces are transported and tumbled by counterrotating brushes. The curtain or sheet extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal cavity through which the substrate pieces are transported. The apparatus includes a housing having a raised portion for enclosing and permitting the curtain or sheet to disperse in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing cavity as the composition descends towards the baked good or snack pieces. A lowered portion, downstream of the raised portion of the housing prevents escape of airborne particulate composition to the atmosphere through the baked good or snack piece outlet. The particulate composition dispenser preferably comprises a series of adjustable nozzle openings for providing a particulate curtain or sheet having a substantially uniform mass flow rate along its length.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/266,285, filed on Jun.27, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,399.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus and a method for the topicalapplication of particulate compositions, such as seasonings, to bakedgood pieces and snacks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the mass production of baked goods such as crackers or savory snacks,topping materials may be continuously applied to a dough sheet or doughpieces prior to baking to promote adhesion of the particulatecomposition to the moist dough. However, in the pre-baking applicationof toppings, it is generally only practical to coat only one side of theproduct because of the conventional transfer of doughs on flat conveyorbelts to and through a continuous oven. Furthermore, heat-sensitiveseasonings may be adversely affected in terms of flavor, appearance, ortexture by the baking process. The post-baking application of toppingsavoids the destruction of heat sensitive ingredients. However, theapplication of toppings to baked goods while they are on a conveyor beltstill only achieves a one-sided coating.

In either the pre-baking or post-baking topical application ofparticulate compositions, the compositions are dispensed by a dispenserwhich extends across the conveyor belt or band. This arrangementdispenses particulate topping compositions, such as salt, in arelatively narrow band across the belt so as to coat the dough or bakedgood product below. However, dispensing a particulate composition upon aproduct while it is being conveyed on a conveying band generally resultsin the wasting of product unless the substrate is in sheet form or thepieces are closely spaced so that the particulate ingredient fallsprimarily upon the intended substrate.

Furthermore, the topical application of particulate ingredients whichare sufficiently light, fine, or of low specific gravity so as to becomeairborne upon dispensing presents additional problems. For example, theescape of airborne particulates to the bakery atmosphere is wasteful.Also, the airborne particulates may be undesirably incorporated into oronto other baked goods which may be under production in a nearby bakeryline. Vacuum hoods may be used to collect airborne particulates.However, such systems may be difficult to adapt to or configure to aconveyor belt system with high collection efficiency. In addition, theapplication of a vacuum to the dough prior to baking or just afterbaking may cause undesirable surface drying or moisture gradients whichcan adversely affect texture, appearance, or checking.

Toppings my be applied to both sides of a baked good by tumbling thebaked good pieces while dispensing the topping upon the pieces. Forexample, inclined, rotating drums may be used to transport and tumblebaked good pieces while dispensing a topping material thereupon. Thistype of system is generally used in conjunction with an oil basedtopping which is readily sprayed onto the pieces. However, rotatingdrums, particularly used at low rotational speeds to avoid productbreakage, often do not result in substantially uniform coating of bothsides of the pieces when particulates are dispensed upon them. With noseparate means of agitating the pieces, they tend to layer or cover eachother or tend to flip or tumble with too little frequency to providedesirable coverage.

Baked good tumbling and conveying with agitation of the pieces and ofthe topping composition may be achieved with conveyors equipped withcounterrotating conveyor brushes. However, the delivery of particulatetoppings onto the product has been by means of generally vertical,inverted Y-shaped robes. These generally Y-shaped tubes deliver theparticulates to a localized area and require the use of compressed airto disperse the particulates. This system has been found to result inuneven product coverage with large areas being uncovered with seasoningand other areas having too highly concentrated seasoning. Furthermore,the use of pressurized air to disperse the particulate compositionresults in excessive losses of the generally highly expensive seasoningcomposition as well as contamination of other product lines.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for the topicalapplication of a particulate composition, such as a seasoning,substantially uniformly to the top surface and to the bottom surface ofbaked good pieces, such as crackers, biscuits, wafers, and sweet orsavory snacks. The substantially uniform coating of the individualpieces is achieved without substantial product breakage, without theneed for pressurized air to disperse the particulate composition, withline or no waste of particulate composition and without substantialcontamination of other product lines by airborne particulates. Theapparatus and process provides for the topical application ofparticulates on a mass production, continuous basis without adverselyaffecting flavor, appearance, or texture of heat-sensitive toppings.Finely granulated, or low specific gravity particulate ingredients, suchas dried vegetable, herb, or spice flakes may be continually dispersedto obtain consistent, uniform baked good coverage without substantialparticulate waste or contamination of nearby product lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for the topicalapplication of a particulate composition to opposing major surfaces ofbaked good pieces or snack pieces. Both the tops and bottoms of aplurality of baked good or snack pieces are coated substantiallyuniformly with the particulate composition on a consistent, continuous,mass production basis. In embodiments of the present invention, thebaked good pieces may be transferred from a multi-zone, continuous bandoven to a spray oil applicator for the application of topping oil orother edible liquid adhesive composition. The baked good pieces may thenbe transferred by means of a conventional conveyor to the housing of theapparatus for applying the particulate composition. A particulatedispenser or metering device dispenses the particulate composition as acurtain or sheet. The curtain or sheet descends upon the baked goodpieces as they are tumbled and transported by counterrotating conveyingbrushes located in the stationary housing.

The rotational axes of the counterrotating brushes are eachsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinalcavity formed by the walls of the housing. The curtain or sheet ofparticulate composition extends for a substantial distance along thelongitudinal axes of the longitudinal cavity and brushes. In embodimentsof the invention, the curtain or sheet my extend a distance of at leasttwenty percent, generally about twenty-five percent to about sixtypercent of the length of the counterrotating brushes. The longitudinalorientation of the curtain distributes or meters the topping compositionover a greater number and greater area of baked good surfaces than wouldbe achieved with a curtain oriented transverse to the direction oftransport of the pieces between the inlet and outlet.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the housing containing araised portion or hood for permitting the curtain or sheet to dispersein a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housingcavity. Also, the provision of a lowered portion in the housing which isdownstream of the raised portion helps to prevent the escape of airborneparticulates from the housing to the atmosphere through the housingoutlet. The raised portion preferably houses a dispenser nozzle whichincludes a plurality of adjustable openings along its length forproviding a substantially uniform mass flow rate of particulatecomposition along the length of the curtain or sheet.

A preferred dispenser nozzle comprises a tubular member which includes afeed screw for transporting the particulate composition through thetubular member from one end to the other. The tubular member may containinner slots or passageways along its bottom. Mass flow rate adjustmentof the particulate composition may be achieved by the use ofindividually adjustable rotatable sleeves each having an outer slot orpassageway. Rotation of the individual sleeves rotates its outer slotrelative to the inner slot so that the width of the inner slot which iscovered by the sleeve is varied, thereby controlling mass flow througheach nozzle opening.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used to provideparticulate coatings, such as seasonings, spices, herbs, dried ordehydrated vegetable flakes, cheese powder, flavorings, colorants, andodorants to baked good pieces or snacks. Exemplary of baked goods orsnacks which may be produced in accordance with the present inventionare crackers, biscuits, wafers, chips, or fabricated chip-like snacks,including no-fat, reduced-fat, and low-fat varieties thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the apparatus for the topicalapplication of particulate compositions to baked goods and snacks inaccordance with the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, schematic cross-sectional view of the housing ofthe apparatus along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, schematic cross-sectional view of the housing ofthe apparatus along line 4--4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic end view of the outlet end of the housing of theapparatus along line 5--5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, schematic partial side view of the particulatedispenser of FIG. 1 showing the dispenser nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Consistent, substantially uniform application of a particulatecomposition to both sides of baked good or snack pieces is achieved inaccordance with the present invention by dispensing the particulatecomposition as a curtain or sheet upon the pieces as they are bothtumbled and transported by counterrotating conveyor brushes. Theparticulate curtain or sheet extends in the direction of transport ofthe pieces for a substantial distance so as to avoid a concentrated areaof introduction of the particulate composition to the substrate pieces.Substantially uniform coverage of the top and bottom surfaces ofsubstantially all pieces is achieved even though the pieces to be toppedhave a spray off or adhesive coating. Particulate composition dispersionover a large area before it contacts the substrate pieces is obtainedwithout the use of pressurized air. More uniform coverage withsubstantially lower loss of particulate composition to the atmosphere isaccomplished with the longitudinally oriented curtain. Dispersion of theparticulate composition in a direction transverse to the direction oftransport of the substrate pieces is promoted by the gentle air currentscreated by the counterrotating brushes and by permitting the particulatecomposition to fall a substantial distance before reaching the substratepieces.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the apparatus 1 for applyingtoppings in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing 2having a top wall 4, a bottom wall 6, and two opposing longitudinal sidewails 8, 10 for forming a longitudinal cavity 12 within the housing 2.Baked good or snack pieces 15 to be coated with the particulatecomposition may be supplied via a hopper 18 to the housing inlet 20. Theinlet 20 for receiving the baked good pieces 15 into the cavity 12 maybe located in the top wall 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In otherembodiments the inlet 20 may be located in a side wall 8, 10 near theupstream end 22 of the housing 12. The outlet 25 for discharging thecoated or topped pieces 15 from the cavity 12 may be located in theoutlet end 28 of the housing 2. The cavity 12 is preferably completelyenclosed by the housing 2 except for the substrate piece inlet 20 andoutlet 25 so as to reduce escape of airborne particulates to theatmosphere.

The housing 2 includes a raised portion or hood 30 as shown in FIGS. 1,2 and 3. The raised portion 30 accommodates and encloses the particulatedispensing nozzle 32 of a particulate dispenser 35 a substantialdistance above the substrate pieces 15 as they are transported withinthe longitudinal cavity 12. The raised portion or hood 30 may beintegral with or separate and removable from the remaining or lowerportion 38 of the housing 2. The raised portion or hood 30 may includean open or partially open bottom 40, opposing side walls 42, 44, anupstream end wall 46, a downstream end wall 48, and a top wall 50. Thetop wall 50 may comprise a lid 52 and lid handle 53 for accessing thedispensing nozzle 32 for making flow adjustments or for maintenance andcleaning. The lid 52 may be completely removable or preferably hinged,such as by hinge 54 to side wall 42. Use of a removable hood or raisedportion 30 of the housing 2 facilitates access to the longitudinalcavity 12 and counterrotating brushes 60, 62 located within the housingcavity 12.

The hood or raised portion 30 of the housing 2 for enclosing thedispensing nozzle 32 is preferably located downstream of the inlet 20for receiving the baked good or snack pieces 15. This arrangementreduces backflow of the particulate composition from the baked good orsnack inlet 20. The substantially long portion, for example, about 50%or more of the length, of the lower housing 38 downstream of the raisedor hooded portion 30 helps to prevent escape of airborne particulatecomposition to the atmosphere through the outlet 25. The downstream endwall 48 of the hood 30 and the outlet end wall 28 of the lower housing38 provide back pressure and resistance to flow of airborne particulatescarried by air currents within the housing cavity 12.

The counterrotating brushes 60, 62 are located within the housing 2 fortransporting and tumbling the baked good or snack pieces 15 through thehousing cavity 12 from the housing inlet 20 to the housing outlet 25.The brushes 60, 62 are arranged so that the rotational axis 64, 66 ofeach brush 60, 62 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 70of the housing cavity 12. The counterrotating brushes 60, 62 may eachcomprise a nylon core or longitudinal rotational axis 64, 66 withbristles 72, 74 attached to the core 64, 66 in a helical or augerarrangement.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the housing cavity 12 has curvedlongitudinal portions 76, 78 which conform to the shape of thecounterrotating brushes 60, 62. The curved cavity portions 76, 78 areformed by inner curved side walls 80, 82, and inner curved bottom walls84, 86 of the housing 2. The curved side walls 80, 82 connect to innerriser walls 88, 90, respectively. Rotation of the brushes 60, 62 causesthe baked good or snack pieces 15 to be driven or swept from the innercurved bottom walls 84, 86 up the adjacent inner curved side walls 80,82 of the housing 2. This action causes the pieces 15 to tumble or flipas they are transformed between the inlet 20 and outlet 25. In preferredembodiments, the bristles 72, 74 touch or sweep the inner walls 80, 82,84, 86 of the housing 2 to provide a self-cleaning action and to agitateor tumble any particulate composition which is not adhered to thepieces. The counterrotating brushes 60, 62 agitate and disperse loose ornon-adhered particulate composition so that it comes into contact withthe pieces 15 as they are transported and tumbled to thereby achievefurther adhesion and coverage.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the housing inlet 20 feeds the bakedgood or snack pieces 15 to the upstream end of the counterrotatingbrushes 60, 62 at a point located above the tops of the rotatingbristles 72, 74. In other embodiments the inlet may be sized and locatedfor feeding the pieces below, or both above and below the tops of therotating bristles 72, 74.

The counterrotating brushes 60, 62 may be driven by a conventionalvariable speed motor drive assembly (not shown) which includes a motor,mounted outside of the housing, and belts, pulleys, or gears operativelyconnected to the counterrotating brushes 60, 62.

A commercially available lower housing 38 equipped with counterrotatingbrushes 60, 62, motor drive assembly, and curved channels or cavities76, 78 which conform to the cylindrical shape of the brushes 60, 62which may be used in the present invention is a Transitube snack coatingdevice produced by Transitube Projet, Aix-en-Provence, France and soldby American Snack Coating Company, 661 SE 5th Street, Pompano Beach,Fla. 33060. The commercially available lower housing 38 may be modifiedto accommodate a particulate composition dispenser 35 in accordance withthe present invention by removing its top covers and inserting,fastening, or otherwise securing the raised portion or hood 30 to thetop 4 of the lower housing 38.

The particulate dispenser 35 is mounted above the counterrotatingbrushes 60, 62 for dispensing a particulate composition as a curtain orsheet 92 which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 70 ofthe housing cavity 12 so that it is dispensed upon the tumbling pieces15 for a substantial distance along the longitudinal axis 70. Inpreferred embodiments of the invention, the particulate dispenser 35comprises an elongated nozzle 32 which extends substantially the entirelength of the raised portion or hood portion 30 of the housing 2. Thenozzle outlets 94 are preferably located or aligned directly above thelongitudinal axis 70 of the housing cavity 12. Both the longitudinalaxis 96 of the nozzle 32 and the longitudinal axis 70 of the housingcavity 12 may be centrally located with respect to the side walls 8, 10,42, 44 of the housing 2 and with respect to the rotational axes 64, 66of the counterrotating brushes 60, 62.

The dispenser nozzle 32 is located at a height which permits the curtainor sheet 92 of particulate composition to disperse in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal axis 70 of the housing cavity 12 as thecomposition descends towards the baked good or snack pieces 15. Heightadjustment my be achieved by raising or lowering the hood 30 withrespect to the lower housing portion 38. Height adjustment may also beachieved by raising or lowering the nozzle 32 with respect to the hood30. The former adjustment method is preferable in terms of sealing thehousing 2 to reduce escape of airborne particulate composition. Thenozzle 32 may be supported at its upstream end by means of a supportbracket 97 located within the hooded portion 30 of the housing 2.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispenser nozzle 32includes a plurality of adjustable openings 94 along its length forproviding a substantially uniform mass flow rate of particulatecomposition along the length of the curtain or sheet 92. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 6, the adjustable openings 94 may each comprise an innerslot 98 and an outer slot 100. Each outer slot 100 may be located in anindividually rotatable sleeve or collar 102. Rotation of the sleeve 102and its slot 100 relative to the inner slot 98 may be used to change thewidth of the inner slot 98 which is covered by the sleeve 102. The massflow rate of the particulate composition through each nozzle opening 94may therefor be varied by rotation of the sleeve or collar 102.

The inner slots 98 are preferably located within a tubular member 104which includes a feed screw, helix, auger, or pigtail feeder 106 fortransporting the particulate composition to the inner slots 98 from aparticulate feed hopper 110. The feed screw 106 transports theparticulate composition through the tubular member 104 for dispensingthrough the adjustable openings 94. The feed screw 106 may be driven byconventional direct or indirect motor drives (not shown). Theparticulate feed hopper 110, drive for the feed screw 106, and a portionof the tubular member 104 are located outside of the hosing 2 as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, theparticulate composition is fed through the nozzle 32 countercurrently tothe direction of transport 120 of the substrate pieces 15 through thehousing cavity 12.

The dispenser 35 is preferably equipped with a top lid 112 for the feedhopper 110. The top lid 112 may be secured to the hopper 110 by means ofclamps or other fastening devices (not shown) for preventing the escapeof or contamination of the particulate composition. The dispensingdevice 35 also preferably includes a feed hopper agitator (not shown)for assisting in the supply of a constant flow rate of the particulatecomposition to the feed screw 106. The dispenser 35 preferably includesadjustable legs 114 and a support 116 for the downstream end of thenozzle 32. The dispenser 35 may be located on a support 118 above thelower housing 38.

The nozzle 32 passes through the downstream end 48 of the raised portionor hood 30 of the housing 2. The passageway in the downstream end 48through which the nozzle 32 passes may be sealed around the periphery ofthe nozzle 32 using a conventional O-ring or sleeve (not shown). Thesleeve may also be used to secure the nozzle 32 by means of bolts orscrews to the end wall 48.

Exemplary agitated feed hoppers for feeding granular material to a feedscrew in the bottom of the hopper which may be used are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,160,016 to Moksnes. Commercially available dispenserswhich include a feed hopper and a nozzle having adjustable slottedopenings for creating a curtain or sheet of particulate compositionwhich may be used are produced by AccuRate, Inc., Whitewater, Wis.

The outer nozzle slots 100 may have a width of about 3/8" and a lengthof about 43/4". The slots 100 in the outer sleeves 102 may be spacedabout 1/4" apart. The inner slots 98 may have the same dimensions andspacing as the outer slots 100. In other embodiments, a single elongatedslot may be used in the inner tube 104, rather than a plurality ofindividual slots 98. The slot or slots 98 of the inner tube 104preferably have their central longitudinal axes aligned along thebottommost portion of the cylindrical tube 104 as shown in FIG. 3.

Even though the nozzle 32 contains individual slots 98, 100, they areclosely spaced together so that the individual curtain from each slot98, 100 disperses longitudinally so that a single sheet or curtain 92 ofthe particulate composition is formed a relatively short distance belowthe nozzle openings 94, the sheet 92 extending substantially the entirelength of the generally horizontal nozzle 32 and hood 30. As theparticulate composition descends towards the substrate pieces 15, thecurtain or sheet 92 disperses in a direction 126 transverse to thelongitudinal axis 70 of the cavity 12 and transverse to the direction offlow 120 of the substrate pieces 15 through the cavity 12. Thetransverse extent of dispersion, or the width of the curtain 92 mayexpand to the width of the housing cavity 12 in the area adjacent to thetops of the brushes 60, 62 as shown in FIG. 3.

The counterrotating brushes 60, 62 may be configured so that the bakedgood or snack pieces 15 are transported and tumbled substantiallycompletely below the rotational axes 64, 66 of the brushes 60, 62 atbrush rotation rates which do not adversely affect product integrity.The pitch, or distance between the threads of each brush may, forexample, range from about 8" to about 16" for a brush length of about 8feet to about 12 feet.

The length of the slotted portion of the nozzle 32, and the length ofthe curtain or sheet 92 of particulate composition dispensed from thenozzle, may range from about 20% to about 50%, preferably about 25% toabout 40%, of the length of the rotating brushes. For example, thelength of the dispensing portion of the nozzle 32 and the length of thecurtain 92 may be about 4 feet for a brush length of about 10 feet. Thenozzle openings 94 may, for example, be disposed at a distance of atleast about 12" above the top 4 of the lower housing 38 in which a 10foot long pair of counterrotating brushes 60, 62 are disposed.

The particulate composition dispenser 35 is located, in embodiments ofthe present invention, downstream of the baked good or snack inlet 20 asufficient distance so that the counterrotating brushes 60, 62 haveinitiated rambling and flipping of the pieces by the time they encountercontact with the curtain 92 of particulate composition. Also, thedownstream location of the particulate composition relative to the bakedgood or snack inlet 20 helps to prevent losses of airborne particulatesthrough the inlet 20. In preferred embodiments of the invention, vacuumhoods 122, 124 are provided at the baked good hopper 18 and at the bakedgood outlet 25 for the capture of any airborne particulate compositionescaping from the housing 2.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, baked goodpieces or snack pieces 15 which may have a spray oil, reduced fat,low-fat, or non-fat adhesive sprayed or coated on the top and bottomsurfaces of the pieces 15 may be transported by means of a conveyor (notshown) to the inlet hopper 18 of the topping applicator 1 of the presentinvention. The spraying may be performed in conventional manner with topand bottom spraying of the baked pieces as they are transported on amesh belt. The pieces 15 entering the hopper 18 are then transportedfrom the baked good inlet 20 towards the baked good outlet 25 in thedirection shown by arrow 120 while being tumbled and flipped by thecounterrotating brushes 60, 62.

In the present invention, substantially uniform application or coverageof the tops and bottoms of the pieces 15 by the particulate compositionis achieved on a consistent basis by dispersing the composition over alarge area without pressurized air and without substantial loss oftopping or particulate composition to the atmosphere. The particulatedispenser 35 mounted above the brushes 60, 62 dispenses the particulate,free-flowing composition as a curtain or sheet 92 upon the tumblingpieces 15 for a substantial distance in the direction of transport 120of the pieces 15 from the inlet 20 towards the outlet 25. The curtain orsheet 92 as a substantially uniform mass flow rate along its length. Thecurtain or sheet 92 disperses towards side walls 8, 10 or riser walls88,90. As shown in FIG. 3 this dispersion is in a direction 126transverse to the direction of travel 120 of the pieces 15 from theinlet 20 to the outlet 25 as they approach the air currents created bythe counterrotating brushes 60, 62. The pieces 15 are also tumbled andflipped in a direction which is primarily transverse to their directionof transport 120 between the inlet 20 and outlet 25.

The products 15 containing the particulate composition adhered to itssurfaces may be permitted to fall from the outlet 25 onto a conveyor 128for transport to a packaging operation (not shown).

The particulate composition applicator 1 may be mounted upon a portableor movable frame 130 for removal from the manufacturing line forcleaning purposes, changes in topping compositions, or for use on otherproduct lines.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may be used fortopically applying a particulate composition substantially uniformly toboth the top and bottom surfaces of baked good pieces 15, such ascrackers, biscuits, wafers, crisp breads, and sweet or savory snacks,chips, or chip-like products such as fabricated potato chips, pretzelchips, corn chips, and the like. The substrates may be full fattedproducts, reduced fat, low-fat, or no-fat products such as low-fatpotato chips, no-fat crackers, and the like.

Exemplary particulate compositions which may be topically applied to thebaked good or snack pieces 15 in accordance with the present inventioninclude flavorings, seasonings, condiments, colorants, odorants,confections, and mixtures thereof. The toppings may be heat sensitiveingredients such as vitamins, medicaments, minerals, nutritivesupplements, dried vegetables, herbs, spices, and mixtures thereof. Theparticulate compositions may be in finely granulated form, powderedform, seed form, or low specific gravity forms such as dried vegetableflakes, herb flakes, condiment flakes, or fruit flakes, and minutesthereof. The particles of the toppings such as the flakes may be readilyvisually apparent upon the finished product. Exemplary toppings myinclude granulated ingredients such as salt, onion salt, garlic salt,sweeteners or sugars, in combination with flakes such as pepper, basil,thyme, peppermint, dried tomato, bran, parsley, and mixtures thereof,such as an onion/garlic/parsley seasoning having a particle sizedistribution of about 75% passing through a #40 Tyler mesh, and having abulk density of about 40 lbs./cu.ft. Exemplary powdered toppings includecheese powders, barbeque, sour cream and onion, and sweeteners.

In embodiments of the invention, the particle size of the particulatecomposition may include a substantial proportion, for example 10% byweight or more, of particles which are sufficiently light so as tobecome airborne or carried by gentle air currents. Exemplary particlesize distributions may be at least about 15% by weight being retained ona #40 Tyler mesh screen. Exemplary bulk densities may range from about25 to about 55 lbs./cu.ft.

The moisture content of the particulate toppings or seasonings isgenerally less than about 10% by weight, most often less than about 5%by weight, preferably less than about 3% by weight. The baked good orsnack pieces to which the toppings are applied generally have a moisturecontent of less than about 5% by weight, preferably less than about 3%by weight.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for the topical application of aparticulate composition to a plurality of baked good piecescomprising:a) a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and twoopposing longitudinal side walls for forming a longitudinal cavityhaving a longitudinal axis, an inlet for receiving baked good piecesinto said cavity and, an outlet for discharging the baked good piecesfrom said cavity, b) counterrotating brushes located within said housingfor transporting and tumbling baked good pieces through the housingcavity from said inlet to said outlet, said brushes each having arotational axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of saidhousing cavity, c) a particulate dispenser mounted above said brushesfor dispensing a particulate composition from a nozzle located withinsaid housing as a curtain or sheet, said curtain extending in thedirection of said longitudinal axis so that the particulate compositionis dispensed upon said tumbling pieces for a substantial distance alongsaid longitudinal axis to apply said particulate compositionsubstantially uniformly to the top and to the bottom of said pieceswithout substantial escape of airborne particulates from said housing.2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said brushes are configuredso that said baked pieces are transported and tumbled below therotational axes of said brushes.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said housing has a raised portion for permitting said curtain orsheet to disperse in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis ofsaid housing cavity as said composition descends towards said baked goodpieces.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said housing has alowered portion downstream of said raised portion for preventing escapeof airborne particulate composition to the atmosphere through saidoutlet.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said nozzle isdisposed within said raised portion, and includes a plurality ofadjustable openings along its length for providing a substantiallyuniform mass flow rate of particulate composition along the length ofsaid curtain or sheet.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein saidadjustable openings each comprise an inner slot and an outer slot, saidouter slot being located in a rotatable sleeve, said outer slot beingrotatable relative to said inner slot so that the width of said innerslot which is covered by said sleeve may be varied to control the massflow rate of the particulate composition through each nozzle opening. 7.Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said inner slots are locatedwithin a tubular member, and said tubular member includes a feed screwfor transporting the particulate composition through the tubular memberfor dispensing through said adjustable openings.
 8. Apparatus as claimedin claim 7 wherein said dispenser includes a hopper for supplyingparticulate composition to said tubular member, and a drive for saidfeed screw, said hopper and said drive being located outside of saidhousing.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said raised portionincludes a lid for access to said nozzle.
 10. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said cavity comprises curved side and bottom portionswhich conform to the shape of said brushes so that rotation of saidbrushes causes baked good pieces to be driven or swept up the innerwalls of the sides of said housing to cause the pieces to tumble orflip.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a baked good hopper isprovided for feeding baked good pieces to said baked good inlet, saidbaked good inlet is located upstream of said particulate compositiondispenser, and a vacuum hood is provided at said baked good hopper andat said baked good outlet for the capture of any airborne particulatecomposition escaping from said housing.